Eco-friendly Car Hire: Economical Renting, Environmentally Friendly

It’s a generally well-known issue that climate change is a serious threat to the future of the planet — and the human race. Businesses and corporations have latched on to the commercial benefits of becoming eco-friendly; so, as well as doing their bit for the environment they can also benefit from publicly announcing their environmental attitude.

A lot of CO2 emissions come from the exhaust pipes of transport vehicles: cars, aeroplanes, buses, etc, which is why it’s important that people strive to take the most ecological transport means to their destination. Cities are improving public transport routes and introducing public bicycle schemes; rural areas are developing better cycle paths joining major locations; but in our current society, it’s impossible to eliminate the need — however sporadic or frequent — for personal motorised transport.

Whether you’re driving your own car or hiring one out, there are plenty of ways you can drive that will help reduce the emissions you produce which can save money and save the car, as well as contribute to saving the environment! By making some small driving tweaks, you could not only decrease your environmental impact, but also improve your driving experience.

Saving fuel is one of the primary things you can do to reduce emissions. Driving smoothly can save up to eight per cent of your normal output. Switching off your engine when you know you’ll be stationary for more than two minutes also saves more than you think. It may seem like a hassle, but cutting the engine while you’re in traffic or waiting for the light to turn green can really make a difference. The more fuel you save, the further you’ll go with less impact on the environment — and less money spent.

Other ways to save on fuel include avoiding any unnecessary revving, planning your trip so you don’t get lost and switching gears when you ought to. At 37mph, a vehicle in fifth gear typically uses around 25 per cent less than at 37mph in third gear. That’s a huge difference — so make sure you’re shifting gears correctly.

Well looked-after vehicles enjoy journeys that are easier on their engines. By ensuring tyre pressure is correct, you could shrink resistance which in turn means a smoother ride and less CO2 output. What’s more, by reducing drag — the slowing down of your vehicle due to greater wind resistance — you could save more still on fuel. By removing unnecessary weight — like roof racks and items in the boot — your vehicle will find lighter air resistance and therefore consume less fuel while moving forward.

It’s really not difficult to make a few small changes that will change your environmental impact. Car manufacturers and car hire companies actively encourage such habits — you can no doubt discuss any concerns with them whilst buying/renting. A few changes today could make a big difference tomorrow, so make sure you’re doing your part to help the planet battle climate change.

Disclaimer: Matthew Pressman writes for a wide variety of commercial clients. This article is intended for information purposes only and readers should seek additional information before taking any actions based on its content.